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Outside Exit/InPhoto: Eric England
At the beginning of 2020, it looked like we were in for a very, very busy year for live music in Nashville. But once COVID-19 arrived in March, followed by the rapid shuttering of nonessential businesses and public spaces, all bets were off. Itâs been nine months since venues around town were last able to do regular business. Only one, venerable songwriter hangout Douglas Corner Cafe, has closed permanently. Others continue fighting to stay afloat.
Todd Sherwood filming a show at The 5 SpotPhoto: Eric EnglandSome have leaned into streaming concerts, with either a drastically reduced audience or none at all. The Station Inn established its own streaming channel in 2019, which has been vital to helping the intimate bluegrass mecca weather the storm. Over in Five Points, The 5 Spot built up a substantial streaming rig and has embraced functioning like a soundstage. Many other venues â including Brooklyn Bowl Nashville, whose
Kevin Gordon, Anne McCue, Many More Kick Out the Jams 15 acts gathered in spirit, though not in person, for 15th annual Get Behind the Mule Tweet
Get Behind the Mule Nashville’s annual wintertime Tom Waits tribute concert and Second Harvest Food Bank benefit for 15 years running I talked with organizer
Mary Sack about how Waits’ music balances grit and beauty, joy and sadness like few others can. On Saturday, the inaugural streaming edition of the show offered lots more food for thought on the topic of the sandpaper-voiced songsmith’s mystique and bottomless trove of killer tunes. It also was the most ambitious showcase yet of the multi-camera live broadcasts
Get Behind the Mule Pivots to the Web Talking with show organizer and artist manager Mary Sack about the 15th annual Tom Waits tribute and Second Harvest benefit Tweet
Seth Walker and Mary SackPhoto: John Partipilo
The mission of Get Behind the Mule, Nashville’s annual Christmastime Tom Waits covers bash, is twofold. First, it’s a chance to pay tribute to the legendary gravelly-voiced troubadour alongside fellow fans and admirers from the local music community. Just as important: Raising money to fight hunger ahead of the holidays.
Named for a choice cut from Waits’ 1999 left-field hit
Mule Variations, the inaugural GBM took place in 2006 at The Basement and has been reprised each winter since, scheduled as close as possible to Dec. 7, Waits’ birthday. When founder David Noel a painter, Basement staffer and Waits superfan was planning the fourth installment in 2009, he reached out to an acquaintance, artist manager and music-biz vet Mary S